TORONTO (Ticker) -- For the second straight season, Vince Carter
upstaged Tim Duncan and the Toronto Raptors upended the San
Antonio Spurs.

Carter scored a career-high 39 points, including eight in the
final four minutes, as the Raptors used a late surge to defeat
the Spurs, 98-92, in a showdown of first-place teams.

"This is the kind of game where they (Raptors) showed the
ability to play," Toronto coach Butch Carter said. "Now we have
to grow and show that we can play this kind of game more often.
When they are focused like that, it's a lot easier to coach
them."

In a duel between the last two NBA Rookies of the Year, Vince
Carter was phenomenal. He made 15-of-25 shots, including a
handful of his trademark high-flying layups and dunks. He also
made all eight of his free throws.

"We just ran our offense," Vince Carter said. "They wanted to
give me the ball. I was just in the flow of the game."

"He's really working on his stuff," Duncan said. "His jumper
makes him extend the floor."

Duncan, the 1998 Rookie of the Year and 1999 NBA Finals Most
Valuable Player, was nearly as good. He collected 27 points and
13 rebounds, shooting 12-of-21 from the field. He was simply
unstoppable during San Antonio's second-half 23-4 run, scoring
13 points.

But with the Spurs trailing 92-89 in the final minute, Duncan
missed a wide-open jumper. Doug Christie made two free throws
with 18 seconds left and the Raptors held on for their first
home win over the defending champions, who have lost two in a
row for the first time since February 26-28 of last season.

"They are a more consistent team," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich
said. "They are gonna beat a lot of people. "Vince Carter was
great. He took some shots I still can't believe."

On March 26 of last season, Carter hit a tiebreaking jumper with
17 seconds left and grabbed Duncan's missed free throw at the
other end, giving Toronto a 93-91 win in San Antonio. The Spurs
went 34-5 with one home loss thereafter, roaring to the title.

Tracy McGrady scored 16 points and Christie added 12 and nine
assists for the Raptors, who shot 46 percent (37-of-81) from the
field and made 21-of-24 free throws. Charles Oakley grabbed 11
rebounds, helping Toronto to a 45-40 edge on the glass.

"I can't put a value on what Charles Oakley does," Butch Carter
said.

Avery Johnson scored 20 points and Mario Elie added 14 for the
Spurs, who shot 42 percent (36-of-86) and suddenly look very
vulnerable. They were taken to the final seconds by the lowly
New Jersey Nets on Thursday and suffered their worst loss of the
season on Friday, a 102-80 setback at Detroit.

San Antonio star center David Robinson had just seven points on
2-of-9 shooting and was outplayed by Toronto center Antonio
Davis, who had 10 points and seven rebounds.

Toronto led by 12 points midway through the third quarter before
Duncan took charge. He scored 13 points over a 10-minute span
and his two free throws gave San Antonio an 83-76 lead with 7:37
to play.

"They are world champs and they know how to win," Vince Carter
said. "We knew they were going to make a run. We just wondered
how we would handle it."

The Raptors responded with a decisive 10-0 surge. Dee Brown hit
a jumper and John Thomas tipped in a miss before McGrady scored
twice inside and Carter sank a jumper for an 86-83 edge with
3:53 left.

"I had to step it up for the team, both defensively and
offensively," Vince Carter said. "This win is big, showing the
heart of this team. We have a goal that we are trying to reach
and these are the kind of games we need."

Duncan and Carter traded baskets and Elie made two free throws
before Carter drilled a jumper for 90-87 lead with 1:16 to go.
Johnson and McGrady made jumpers but Duncan missed his shot and
the Raptors rebounded.

"For a while, Toronto stopped doubling me and then they started
again," Duncan said. "I just couldn't put it in the hole."

After Christie's free throws, Terry Porter's 3-pointer pulled
the Spurs within two points. But Carter and Christie made two
foul shots apiece to seal the win.

"I hope that this starts a run where he is dependable for the
team," Butch Carter said. "Normally when I say my prayers at
night, I'm glad that he's on my team."

Carter scored 18 points in the first half, which ended with the
Raptors holding a 45-44 lead. Johnson kept the Spurs close with
14 points.